There are noises in Italy’s press that after Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party’s very poor showing in recent regional elections – Mr Berlusconi’s party was beaten by the Lega Nord – Silvio Berlusconi is considering ending his Nazarenzo pact with Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen but if Mr Berlusconi does drop his support for Mr Renzi, Italy will find that its already slow reform process will grind to a halt. This, as you might imagine, won’t be good news for Italy. Indeed, it could be the straw which breaks the camel’s back. Chaos will ensue and it could bring the Renzi government tumbling down. Without Mr Berlusconi’s support, the Renzi led government won’t be able to push legislation through Italy’s senate.

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More headaches for Italy’s aging President Napolitano who’s apparently dreaming of retirement. Seems he may not be able to bounce his grandchildren on his knee just yet.
Then again, Mr Berlusconi could merely be making noises in order to force Mr Renzi to do his bidding. We’ll see. But if it happens and Mr Berlusconi does drop his support for Mr Renzi, Italy may end up with general elections in early 2015.